Bands will be taking to the stage in Perth, Bedworth and Torquay this weekend to try and book their places at the National Finals. 4BR casts its eye over the contenders to come up with the famous kiss of death predictions...

Thursday, 8 March 2018

The North West and Yorkshire have come and gone. Now it’s the turn of the bands in the Midlands, Scotland and the West of England to try and qualify for London and Cheltenham.

Contrasting venues

The action at Blackpool and Huddersfield was fascinating - and not just in the Championship Section either. ‘Odyssey’ won’t live long in the musical memory banks it has to be said, but it has done its job, whilst ‘Brass Metamorphosis’ has as expected shone an uncomfortable light on the realistic ambitions of bands seeking to make the step up to the top-flight.

‘Ex Terra Lucem’, ‘Napoleon on the Alps’ and ‘World Tour’ have been very well pitched though - allowing the best ensembles and soloists to shine as well as encouraging conductors to look beyond basic note bashing. There have been some cracking performances as a result.

Hopefully that will carry on this weekend at Bedworth, Perth and Torquay – three contrasting venues with their own acoustic peculiarities.

Excellently run

All three events are excellently run, with the Scottish Brass Band Association, the Midlands and West of England Regional Committees staffed by fantastic teams of volunteers and helpers who work their socks off. If you are not doing anything for a couple of hours or so, why not offer a helping hand?

4BR will be there to bring you a taste of the action as it all unfolds, so why not log in to find out who will join the ever growing list of qualifiers for the Albert Hall and Cheltenham.

If you are looking for anything approaching a sure odds-on bet this weekend for a top section victory, then head to William Hill and put your mortgage payment on the band Prof Nicholas Childs is conducting.

The Welshman has already won with Foden’s and Black Dyke in commanding fashion, so even the most parsimonious supporter of defending Scottish Champion Whitburn should be pretty confident when the pairing takes to the stage on Sunday afternoon, especially as the banding clans around them seem to be in various states of development, decline or even disarray.

The last time there was a successful title defence was back in 2010 when the then Scottish Co-op did it with Russell Gray at the helm. He’s back this time, so you never know - but it would be a surprise.

If they do not hit form then Dalmellington may be best placed to claim a place at the Albert Hall for the first time since 1981, whilst the solidly improving duo of Bo’ness & Carriden and Bathgate could well feature alongside Newtongrange and our dark horse of Kirkintilloch Kelvin.

Taking of good bets, Virtuosi GUS is looking to claim an unprecedented fifth Midlands title in Bedworth, and despite some variable form of late, they should still have enough quality to at least return to the Albert Hall for a sixth consecutive year.

Desford could be the band to beat though after their confidence boost at Butlins earlier in the year under Michael Fowles showed just how good they are with rehearsal miles under their belt. If they have been able to add more of them to the musical odometer then a first Area win since 2012 could be on the cards.

Both bands though could be hard pushed by the improving Thoresby Colliery, whilst Derwent Brass, 2013 champion Jaguar Land Rover and Ratby Co-operative look like potential top-six material with our dark horse of Newstead Brass.

The Flowers hegemony in Torquay was finally broken last year by Woodfalls, and this year it looks like it could well be a friendly family battle between father and son for the title, as Bob and David Childs lead the fancied duo into action.

One of them will have to buy the other the celebratory champagne you feel (although the consolation should be a qualification spot).

Flowers were excellent value for their Butlins success and have been building impressively under David Childs in the last year. If they have continued on that upward trajectory then they could win here with a little bit to spare. If not, Woodfalls (who were also very good at Skegness) will surely pounce.

Last year’s runner-up Filton Concert Brass could upset things once more and come off the back of a solid victory at the Welsh Open, whilst Camborne (who can blow hot or cold), and the solid pairing of Aldbourne and Lydbrook could all be battling for a place on the podium with our dark horse of St Austell.

There was a fine return for Scotland’s representatives at Cheltenham last year with two top-six finishes, so hopes will be high that the qualifiers can do just as well, or even better.

There are certainly some good quality bands led by experienced MDs here, with the relegated pairing of Kingdom Brass and Unison Kinneil good each-way bets alongside Lochgelly to battle it out for the podium slots.

The well travelled Johnstone, Granite City and Dunaskin Doon could force themselves into the reckoning alongside our dark horse Arbroath Instrumental if any of the more fancied runners slip up.

Three bands will get the nod from judges Richard Marshall and Major Paul Norley on what promises to be an intriguing metamorphic musical battle. Once again there is plenty of experience at the various helms here, and that may come in handy in a tricky piece that has already caused problems.

Early season form has been a bit nondescript, with a batch of midfield places claimed at Butlins. Carlton Brass had a decent run out the NEMBBA contest, whilst Enderby ended last year on a high, even if Butlins was a bit of a disappointment.

Last year’s winner Foresters Brass and runner-up Rushden Town return once more and should be solid bets to feature once more, whilst Enderby, Bilton Silver (Rugby) and Shirley could be in the mix alongside our dark horse of Staffordshire.

There is the promise of a cracking contest in Torquay with a plethora of well-matched bands all more than capable of claiming one of the two qualification places on offer.

Last year’s representatives (the returning SW Comms and Bournemouth Concert) ended 8th and 12th in Cheltenham, but you suspect whoever gets through (including them) will fancy their chances of finishing a little bit higher than that come September.

A rejuvenated and promoted Bodmin Town and Chalford (who were fourth last year) could be bands to watch out for come the results, whilst City of Bristol, Michelmersh Silver and Otterbourne Brass all had solid run outs at the recent Oxford contest - as did the impressive winner AW Parker (Drybrook). Our dark horse is Forest of Dean Brass.

Mark Wilkinson and Anne Crookston could be faced with a difficult task on Saturday morning as eleven evenly matched bands line up on Jonathan Bates’ engaging test-piece.

Last year’s representatives came 3rd and 15th at Cheltenham, but whoever gets through should travel with confidence, with the likes of Scottish Challenge Shield winner Clackmannan District perhaps the band to beat.

Just ten bands for adjudicators Ian Brownbill and Chris King to compare and contrast on Sunday morning, but more than a generous handful that could certainly push their way through to claim a qualification place or even the title itself.

Only City of Coventry tested the waters in Butlins and got their toes cold, although Hucknall & Linby, Rolls Royce (Derby) and Bakewell Silver came away from the NEMBBA contest with their confidence boosted.

Foss Dyke will look to make an immediate return to Cheltenham (where they came 11th last year), whilst Avonbank (Evesham) and dark horse Tintwistle could be in with a fair old shout too.

The West of England invariably sends strong contenders to the National Final, and last year’s trio (only two go this year) came 5th, 9th and 12th.

A hard one to call as you look through the list of competitors, with the likes of Helston looking to make an immediate Cheltenham return, as will the promoted Cheltenham Silver (who won the Third Section here last year).

The Scots have always enjoyed teaming up with their French counterparts, so this ‘Vielle Alliance’ should prove to be an enjoyable romp across the topographical musical challenges of the Napoleonic Alps.

Plenty of directional experience at the helm of some solid looking contenders, with the 2017 Fourth Section National Champion in Newmains & District promoted and keen to make another historic mark.

Buckhaven & Methil and Brass Sounds Inverclyde may have something to say about that, as could the promoted Dysart Colliery and the relegated duo of Perthshire Brass and Selkirk Brass. Our dark horse is MacTaggart Scott Loanhead.

Three bands will go through to the National Final from what looks likely to be a highly competitive battle at the Nicholas Chamberlaine Technology College on Saturday.

Last year’s qualifiers ended as solid top-ten finishers in Cheltenham, so whoever gets the nod from Ian Brownbill and Chris King will both deserve it and travel south in September as confident challengers.

Shirland Welfare has been in good form of late with a solid performance at Butlins and a victory at the NEMBBA contest, whilst Market Rasen and Long Eaton Silver enjoyed run-outs there. Towcester Studio and Wellington (Telford) could be in the mix, whilst the relegated Raunds Temperance and the competitive Cubbington Silver could force their way into the reckoning.

There is sure to be a colourful battle on show in the Third Section on Saturday morning, with the experienced pairing of Alan Morrison and John Winterflood (who took the Queen’s shilling himself) sitting back and enjoying the Napoleonic music making from 18 keen contenders.

Picking a winner could be one heck of task though, and there are lots of bands full of promise all keen to get to Cheltenham but little early season form to go on if you wish to put a pound on a fancied runner.

Bath Spa and the promoted Hatherleigh (who won the Fourth Section in splendid fashion last year) could be bands to listen out for, whilst Gillingham Imperial, Pillowell Silver and the relegated Ocean Brass may be worth a few bob or two as an each way bet along with the offer of a successful contest prayer to St Stythians and our dark horse of Tewkesbury Town.

There was a time when the Scottish Fourth Section was struggling to even get a competitive quorum and had little hope of sending any bands down to the National Finals with a chance of coming home anything other than empty handed. Now look at them – 13 cracking outfits all keen as mustard.

All that and the great initiative of inviting non-competitive bands continues to sow the seeds for future success, with Granite City Community Brass and Coalburn making welcome appearances.

Newmains fantastic victory (with Dysart Colliery a solid 7th) gave the whole of Scottish banding a boost, as well as the confidence to go down south and do it all again.

Some tasty outfits could do just if they play to form, with the relegated duo of Barrhead Burgh and Whitburn Heartlands our pick to proudly fly the Saltaire in Cheltenham.

A fantastic field of 24 bands takes to the stage this year (up three from 2017) for what is sure to be a highly enjoyable contest.

There are some serious contenders for title honours on show - led by the reigning Butlins Champion, Stamford Brass, who will surely be looking to make it a 2018 ‘double’ under MD Julian Bright. Sherwood Forest Brass and Whitwell put in solid performances at Skegness and may well feature in and around the top-six, whilst Ilkeston enjoyed a decent run-out at the recent NEMBBA contest.

Last year’s runner-up Fairfield (Buxton) returns once more, whilst last year’s top-six finishers of Ratby Co-operative Mid, City of Wolverhampton and Shipston Town will once again look to feature come the announcement of the results. Our dark horse is Porthywaen Silver.

4BR has enjoyed some fantastic Fourth Section contests here over the past few years (it will be a long time before we forget the Harry James trumpeter on ‘The Journal of Phileas Fogg’) so it’s a bit of a mystery that numbers are down this time to just 15 bands.

Perhaps we will find out more when we get to Torquay, but hopefully the reduction in quantity has not impinged on the quality - because it’s invariably very good.

Last year’s contest was a case in point, with three excellent bands getting though to Cheltenham where they eventually ended up 6th, 12th and 15th. Not a bad return, but some of these contenders will surely fancy their chances of doing a little better.

Of those, the returning Shanklin Town making their trip over from the Isle of Wight could be the band to beat as they seek an immediate qualification return, whilst Exeter Railway or Wincanton Silver may join them. Test Valley Brass, Okehampton Excelsior Silver and Verwood Town should be in with a shout, whilst Chalford Academy is our dark horse.

December 18 • We have a vacancy for a Soprano and BBb Bass to complete the line up for the areas. Nice Schilke Sop sat waiting for the right person! The band currently competes in the 2nd Section and has a full program of concerts and contests.